Chef Wan calls his buffet place a place with larger than life spreads, innumerable appetizers options, delectable main courses and mouthwatering desserts. Everything is made KING size for you to enjoy. And how many of you have been to 1 Market and how do you find the spread of the food, the atmosphere and the price?

Southeast Asia’s most illustrious chef and Malaysia’s appointed culinary ambassador, Chef Wan created many yummy South East Asian flavours dishes and you can find them all at this place. The buffet boasts a gastronomic spread of appetisers, salads, seafood, grill, casserole, hotpots and desserts helmed with recipes bursting with Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian &Middle Eastern flavours. I was so excited when I first stepped into the restaurant and you can smell the lovely flavours already.

Although I arrived pretty early, the section where it places all the seafood is almost empty. There are Alaskan King Crab legs, Mussels, Scallops, Prawns and other shellfishes and I’m sure there is supposed to be fresh oysters as well and its gone?!! Nevermind, I shall start with some fresh greens and appetizers. As compared to many buffet places, they tend to introduce soda drinks to their patrons and here at 1 Market, juices or hot drinks are readily available.

You can start off your mains with something light like porridge or some small cuts of beef or mutton, sashimi, sushi or chawamushi can be a good start too if you’re into Japanese food. Fresh fish and slightly thicker cuts are placed on the serving sections and it is also one of the more popular sections in the restaurant. You might want to forget about getting a chawamushi if the steamer isn’t on (which happened on the day I was there) It doesn’t taste nice when it’s not warm.

Some of the popular dishes you might want to feast on would be the chilli and black pepper crabs, beef rendang, satay and grilled squids. Being the first Halal Buffet restaurant in Singapore, Chef Wan prides his dishes as the dishes are all authentic and recipes created by him. They also have a section where they would come out with daily specials and when I was there, they are serving Singapore Laksa, a delicious tasting soup and wonderful ingredients. They even have a section where you can “create” or make your own Rojak (a traditional fruit and vegetable salad dish commonly found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.) and Kueh Pie Tee (thin and crispy pastry tart shell Kuih filled with a spicy, sweet mixture of thinly sliced vegetables and prawns.)

Last but not least, an array of fruits, desserts to end the meal. You can have cream puffs, Kueh Lapis, or even some Nonya cakes and even a few scoops of ice cream! Overall, 1 Market can satisfy your taste buds with lots of authentic flavours from the neighbouring regions but I think it is on a pricy side taking into account that the dishes available. Maybe you can consider coming in for a luncheon with your friends and you can be sure your Malay friends are invited as well!

Nothing changes from 2 years ago but one thing had changed for sure is the crowd that comes in now has increased. And if you are looking for some authentic Nonya Cuisine, you can come to this place for an enjoyable meal! On did I say that they are Halal certified too for all Muslim friends who wanna try out Nonya delicacies?! Just a street besides Jonker Street, on can easily come over for their meal halfway through their shopping. A small place which was nicely decorated at the entrance and you can see all the dishes that they offer are and here, I shall share with you what I had for my lunch at Kocik. Something simple, not much of a food presentation but the taste is traditional (ya lacking the pork and lard) and some fond memories of home cooked feel to it.

Chap chye, mixed vegetable stew. Containing 5-6 vegetarian cooking ingredients typically consist of glass noodles, bean curd sticks, black fungus ear, black mushrooms and carrots. Simmered in the stew for several hours and served hot. The vegetable typically melts in your mouth and really brings me back to my childhood days.Ayam Pongteh (Nyonya Chicken and Potato Stew) which has a slightly different taste to the Singaporean dish and is something you should try to give you a homey feel. Made with chicken, potato and flavoured with taucheo (fermented soy bean sauce) and Gula Melaka (palm sugar). Nonya-styled Ngoh Hiang (spiced meat rolls) usually contains minced fish, prawns, diced spring onions, water-chestnuts, carrots, onions, seasoned with sugar, light soya sauce, salt, pepper and Chinese five-spice powder and wrapped with a transparent dried soya bean skin. A flavourful item to try out and you should also try the mini Nonya otah (spicy fish custard wrapped with banana leaves). Give it a try!

Cinchalok (fermented small shrimps or krills) omelette unique taste of fresh cinchalok fried with 2-3 eggs, spring onions, sliced onions and chilli. More shiok if you eat it with sambal belacan (shrimp chilli paste)Walking along Jonker Street under the hot scorching sun, you need something to cool you down and their home made grass jelly drink prepared daily is the way to go and not forgetting Gula Melaka Cendol. Ice shavings with red beans, Pandan flavoured wormlike jelly, atap seed and drizzle with lots of Gula Melaka and coconut milk. Savour the rich creamy milk, sweetness of the syrup and hint of pandan taste. Blissful I would say and there you go! A simple but yet wonderful nonya cuisine experience in Melacca and a must try when you’re there!